SLS 18RS-209 REENGROSSED
2018 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 24
BY SENATOR MILLS
COUNSELING/GUIDANCE. Provides relative to social work practice. (8/1/18)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 37:2703 and (15)(b) and to enact
3 R.S. 37:2703(B), relative to social work practice; to provide for an exception from
4 licensure; to provide for technical corrections; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 37:2703 and (15)(b) are hereby
7 amended and reenacted and R.S. 37:2703(B) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง2703. Definitions
9 A. As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, and
10 except as otherwise expressly provided:
11 * * *
12 (15)(a)
13 * * *
14 (b) Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person
15 licensed, certified, provisionally certified, or registered hereunder to prescribe, either
16 orally or in writing, distribute, dispense, or administer any medications. Nothing in
17 this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any social worker licensed, certified,
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
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SLS 18RS-209 REENGROSSED
1 provisionally certified, or registered under this Chapter to administer or interpret
2 psychological tests, or to engage in the practice of psychology, as defined by the
3 provisions of R.S. 37:2352(5) or to engage in the practice of medicine, as defined by
4 the provisions of R.S. 37:1262. Notwithstanding any provisions of R.S. 37:2352(5),
5 persons covered by this Chapter may, based upon scope of practice, administer, use,
6 or interpret tests of language, education and achievement, adaptive behavioral tests,
7 and symptom screening checklists instruments, as well as tests of abilities, interests,
8 and aptitudes. Social work practice shall not include social work education
9 administered by a faculty member at an accredited institution of higher
10 education. A person who serves as a faculty member in a social work program
11 at an institution of higher education is not required to hold a license under this
12 Chapter, to the extent that the faculty member's activities are limited to
13 teaching and scholarship.
14 * * *
15 B. Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person
16 licensed, certified, provisionally certified, or registered hereunder to prescribe,
17 either orally or in writing, distribute, dispense, or administer any medications.
18 Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any social worker
19 licensed, certified, provisionally certified, or registered under this Chapter to
20 administer or interpret psychological tests, or to engage in the practice of
21 psychology, as defined by the provisions of R.S. 37:2352(7) or to engage in the
22 practice of medicine, as defined by the provisions of R.S. 37:1262.
23 Notwithstanding any provisions of R.S. 37:2352(5), persons covered by this
24 Chapter may, based upon scope of practice, administer, use, or interpret tests
25 of language, education and achievement, adaptive behavioral tests, and
26 symptom screening checklists instruments, as well as tests of abilities, interests,
27 and aptitudes.
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The original instrument was prepared by Christine Arbo Peck. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Laura Gail Sullivan.
DIGEST
SB 24 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Mills
Present law defines "social work practice". Proposed law excludes social work education
administered by a faculty member at an accredited institution of higher education from the
definition of "social work practice". Specifies that a person who serves as a faculty member
in a social work program at an institution of higher education is not required to hold a license
under present law, to the extent that the faculty member's activities are limited to teaching
and scholarship.
Present law provides that social workers cannot prescribe, dispense, or administer
medications, administer or interpret psychological tests, or engage in the practice of
psychology or medicine. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that social workers may administer, use, or interpret tests of language,
education and achievement, adaptive behavioral tests, and symptom screening checklists
instruments, as well as tests of abilities, interests, and aptitudes. Proposed law retains present
law.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 37:2703(intro para) and (15)(b); adds R.S. 37:2703(B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Remove service and research as faculty member activities that are exempt
from requiring licensure.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Make technical changes.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.